Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, The Four Graces

Located in the Dundee Hills region of the Willamette Valley in Oregon, the estate covers 16 hectares. Eight hectares are farmed with a focus on non-invasive vineyard practices whilst the other 8 are farmed biodynamically. The hills which lie 45 kilometres south west of Portland and 65 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean are protected to the west by the Coastal Range, creating cool yet dry growing conditions for the production of Pinot Noir as well as Pinots Blanc and Gris. The Pinot Gris comes from the Foley Family Estate vineyard as well as Eola Springs, Rock Hop and Huntington Hills vineyards.The soils a rich, volcanic soil mixed with silt, clay and loam providing excellent drainage. The estate is focused on creating healthy, vibrant vineyards via a variety of means; leaving aside approximately 50 percent of acreage for wildlife habitat, to promote biodiversity, employing leaf removal and canopy management to reduce insect pests and disease pressure as well as enhancing the character and balance in the grapes by improving sunlight and air penetration. Cover crops are also planted and add organic matter to naturally replenish the soil with nitrogen and increase the diversity of flora and fauna while preventing erosion.